SUTTON UNITED 1 OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2
Youngster Junior Luamba scored a dramatic last-gasp winner as Oldham Athletic snatched a first Sky Bet League Two win of the season from the jaws of defeat at Sutton United.
The 18-year-old academy product scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Latics produced a remarkable recovery on a historic day for Sutton as it was their first-ever home game in the EFL after 123 years in existence.
Latics were 1-0 behind until captain Carl Piergianni equalised in the 88th minute and Luamba celebrated his first senior goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time to lift them off bottom spot.
After the Carabao Cup win against Accrington Stanley in midweek, albeit on penalties, Latics headed to Gander Green Lane in high spirits.
Sutton had been forced to play away for their opening games in the EFL as they had to rip up their 3G pitch and reinstate a grass surface.
Latics handed a debut to goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler after the Canadian international contractual issues had finally been resolved.
His opposite number, Aussie Dean Bouzanis was familiar having earlier played for Latics.
Leutwiler for emergency loan signing Laurie Walker was the one change from the side that beat Accrington four days earlier.
Harry Vaughan was handed his first league start in midfield, while Luamba retained his place in attack.
Buoyed by the sense of occasion, Sutton applied plenty of early pressure.
As early as the second minute, David Ajiboye broke forward before seeing a shot blocked and then Louis John headed over a Rob Milsom corner.
Omar Bugiel then headed over and Enzio Boldewijn saw an effort flash wide.
It took time for Latics to settle, Luamba sending an effort narrowly wide after Vaughan and Sam Hart combined down the left.
They were force to make a change in the 17th minute after Hart was injured and replaced by player-coach Alan Sheehan.
Curle’s side carried a greater threat as the half went on, Clarke going close with a header before Dylan Bahamboula registered two shots, the first going wide before being denied by Bouzanis.
Yet the home side remained a danger as Donovan Wilson and Ajiboye had further chances.
Sutton retained their sense of purpose after the break, Wilson heading over a cross from Jon Barden before they took the lead just after the hour.
Craig Eastmond unleashed a fierce shot from range which struck the bar, with Ajiboye quickest to respond to convert the follow-up.
Yet Latics kept plugging away and started to control play as the half progressed. Having been brought on after an injury for Dylan Fage, Faysal Battache send a long-range strike over the bar before Luamba brought a save from Bouzanis.
The afternoon looked to be ending in disappointment for Latics until two dramatic late interventions.
They equalised when Piergianni’s header went in off a post from Davis Keillor-Dunn’s cross.
With Latics pushing forward, Bahamboula set off on a charging run down the left before cutting into the area. As he crossed, the ball broke to Luamba, who stabbed a shot past Bouzanis from close range to spark wild celebrations from the travelling fans.
Oldham Athletic: Leutwiler, Clarke, Hart (Sheehan 17), Piergianni, Whelan, Hope, Fage (Bettache 50), Diarra, Bahamboula, Luamba, Vaughan (Keillor-Dunn 46). Subs (not used): Danielewicz, Adams, Dearnley, Bowden.
Goals: Ajiboye, 61, for Sutton. Piergianni, 88, Luamba, 90+6, for Oldham.
Attendance: 3,262 (457 visitors).